In the northern Quebec of 1929, the wealthy and powerful Munroe family faces various crises as patriarch James tries to make his hydro power plan commercially viable.
An extravagant garden party at the Munroes' summer home is interrupted as Cabinet Minister C.D. Howe arrives to recruit James Munroe to mobilize Canadian industry for war.
When a worker is injured at the plant, the accident proves to be a catalyst for the release of pent-up resentment and anger. To get the 3,000 workers back on the job, a communist union is invited to "clean up".
James Munroe is 70 and it is suggested that he slow down and sell the company. A reporter, intent on getting a rare interview with Sir James, turns out to be a forthright modern woman who completely fascinates him.
Munroe is an old man, rich and alone. He has not seen his wife or daughter Amy for five years. Catherine is ill and Amy comes to Munroe to reunite him with his wife.
